Air-ship.



No. 643,975. I Patented Feb. 20, I900.

- J. F. PICKERING.

AIR SHIP.

' (Application filad July 19, 1899. {No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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AIR SHIP.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. PIOKERING, OF GONAIVES, HAITI.

AIR-SHIP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,975, dated February20, 1900.

Application filed July 19, 1899. Serial No. 724,406. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. PIOKER-ING, a

subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Gonaives, Haiti, WestIndies, have invented a certain new and useful Air Ship or Launch, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to air ships or launches.

The object of the invention is to provide a ship or launch of greatstrength and durability and to combine with the float mechanism andappliances whereby the movements of the launch may be completely underthe control of an operator-that is to say, that the propulsionhorizontally or at any desired angle with relation to the horizon or thegradual raising or lowering of the float or the turning of the same toany desired point of the compass may be entirely and completely withinthe control of the operator.

The invention consists in certain constructions and combinationshereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved air ship orlaunch. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the same. Fig. 3 isa plan of that part of my ship below the gas dome or float, illustratinga suitable arrangement of the machinery and compartments. Fig. 4 isarear elevation, the rudder being removed. Fig. 5 is a detail sectionthrough the gas dome or float, showing a fan and air trunks leadingupwardly and downwardly from the fan-casing. Fig. 6 is a detail sectiontaken above one of the fan-cas ings.

1 is a gas dome, balloon, or float for sustaining or floatinga structure2, the latter being provided with a series of compartments and carryinga suitable motor or motors and mechanism for driving and controlling themotions of the ship. The gas dome or balloon part of my ship ispreferably made in substantially the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, andconsists of a frame made of strong light tubing 3, of aluminium or likesubstance. The parts of the frame are securely braced or tied together.Extending through the dome and its cover are tubes 4 4 4 4, two at theforward or bow end and two near the stern. The

braces or framework 5, leading from different parts of the dome, areperforated, as shown, and lead through the outer skin or cover of theballoon and are provided with safetyvalves 6 6 to give relief to thedome or float in case the pressure from within becomes too great for anyreason whatever. The space within the dome is entirely inclosed by silkor other suitable gas-holding fabric.

In order to charge or introduce gas to the dome, I provide an opening atone end, adapted to be closed by a cap 7 and a suitable gasket, and inorder that the air within the dome may escape I provide at the other enda passage provided with a cap 8, similar to cap 7. As gas is introducedat one end of the dome air is forced out through the passage at theother end, and when it has been entirely expelled and the domecompletely filled with gas the caps 7 and S are both closed and theballoon or float is ready for service. Suitably fastened to or connectedwith the dome or balloon is the structure 2, provided with com partment9 for machinery and side compartments 1O 10 for any desired purpose. Thestructure or hold 2 carries in compartment 9 a suitable motor 11,coupled with driving shaft 12, the driving-shaft being operativelycoupled through suitable multiplying-gearing with fans 13 near the bowof the ship and with fans 14 and driving-paddles 15 near the stern ofthe .ship. The gearing between the driving-shaft and the driven partsconsists, by preference, of sprocket wheels, pinions, and chains, asclearly indicated in the drawings.

The car or structure 2 is provided with a series of sight andventilating ports 16 in the upper part thereof and withobservation-ports 17 through the bottom of the car. An ordinary rudder18 is connected with the ship for its general guidance and control.Leading upwardly from the fans 13 and 14 into the tubes 4 are air ductsor passages 19 19, and telescopically or loosely mounted on the ductsand within the tubes are other bent tubes or cowls 20. The crooked tubes20 are each provided with a hole at the bend corresponding in size withthat of the air-duct 19 and with abutterfly or flap valve 21, so thatthe air driven through the duct 19 may pass vertically through theopening or may be caused to follow the bend of the pipe. These benttubes are conveniently operated by means of a rod or connection 22.

Leading downwardly from the cases of the fans 13 14 are air-ducts 23 23,and mounted in or on these air-ducts are other crooked or bent tubes 24,having openings at the bend or angle and adjusted to operate in a mannersimilar to the bent or crooked tubes 20. To control the blast from thefans, so as to cause the same to pass upwardly or downwardly, I providegates or valves 25 for alternately opening and closing one or the otherof said air-trunks. These valves are conveniently operated throughconnections 22.

In operation the balloon or gas-dome being charged and having a buoyancysufficent to lift the car and its load the engine is started by theengineer or operator, and motion is imparted to the fans andpropelling-wheels. In case it is desired to run both the fans and thepropelling-wheels the crooked or bent tubes 20 and 24 are turned so thatthey project rearwardly, and the blast through them contributes to thepropulsion or forward movement of the ship. In case the operator wishesto elevate the ship or carry it to a higher plane the cut-olfs or gatesto the upwardlyprojecting air-trunks are closed and the valves in thedownwardly-projecting crooked tubes are changed so as to direct thecurrent downward, in which case the entire ship is driven upward. Incase it is desired to lower the ship the downwardly-projecting airductsare closed by their Valves or gates and the valve in the crooked tube 20is turned so that the current is directed upward, in which case the shipis forced downward toward the earth. In case it becomes desirable toturn the ship around from end to end or through a considerable are of acircle the crooked tubes projecting upwardly and downwardly are turnedto the proper angle, in which case the ship may be turned promptly andreadily to any desired direction much more rapidly and efficiently thancould be accomplished through the medium of the rudder.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a balloon, an attached car carrying a motor, and apropeller, fans driven by the motor, air-pipes provided with bentmovable outlets leading both upward and downward from the fans and eX-tending through the balloon and the bottom of the car, and means forshifting the blast of air from the fan to either the upward or downwardair-pipes.

2. The combination of a balloon having passages leading entirely throughit, a car connected with the balloon, fans or blowers mounted within thecar, air-trunks leading from the fans, movable bent or crooked tubescoupled with the air-trunks, and means for directing the currentdirectly upward or downward or through the bent tubes, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. PIOKERING.

Witnesses:

WM. L. FoRD, HARRY L. AMER.

